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Uhuru was given Kibaki's Nyari office but declined – State House

Hussein Mohammed says the former head of state declined to use the office occupied by his predecessor.

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by GORDON OSEN

News20 May 2024 - 01:51
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In Summary


  • In April, reports emerged that Uhuru rejected the office over various issues, sustaining the standoff
  • Reports indicate that Uhuru wants to convert part of his residence near State House into his office and have the state pay him rent for his own house
Former President Uhuru Kenyatta during the memorial service of the former Ministry of ICT, Innovation, and Youth Affairs CS Joe Mucheru's mother in Nairobi on March 14

The government has rejected reports that it has refused to give retired President Uhuru Kenyatta an office space and funding.

State House Spokesperson Hussein Mohammed said the former head of state declined to use the office occupied by his predecessor Mwai Kibaki in Nyari, Gigiri.

Kibaki occupied the office for nine years until his death.

"There’s an office complex in Nyari that was used by President Mwai Kibaki. It is very well known that it is there and it's vacant and President Uhuru Kenyatta can use that office as and when he deems fit,” Mohammed said.

In April, reports emerged that Uhuru rejected the office over various issues, sustaining the standoff.

Reports indicate that Uhuru wants to convert part of his residence near State House into his office and have the state pay him rent for his own house.

On Sunday, the Nation reported that Uhuru has been forced to pay for his own office, fuel his official car and cater for expenses such as foreign and domestic travels, car repairs and needs of staff, including their reimbursement from foreign travels.

The government terms the demands as a misuse of public funds yet the Gigiri office is vacant.  

The allegation signaled worsening bad blood between president William Ruto and his predecessor.

According to the news outlet, the former President's office has not been receiving funds for new vehicles and their maintenance, staff contracts have not been renewed and the required number has also not been met.

The office has not also been receiving funds for travel air tickets as well as allowances for his staff, the report said.

There is also a dispute over where his office should be located.

But Hussein said the retired president has been made aware of the Nyari office complex.

On the question of alleged unveiled funding to run the office of the retired president, the State House official said the president Uhuru is aware of the channels that can be used to obtain the funds that are only available for official use.

He suggested that the monies availed to the former president's office are only for official business and not other engagements, including his political activities.

"As for the other matters about budget, there are channels and mechanisms to access budget and provision in the Office of the Fourth President and all those have been provided for officially for any official engagement," the Spokesperson said.

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